The difference between cystatin C- and creatinine-based assessment of kidney function in acute heart failure.

AIMS: Acute heart failure (HF) is associated with muscle mass loss, potentially leading to overestimation of kidney function using serum creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFRsCr ). Cystatin C-based eGFR (eGFRCysC ) is less muscle mass dependent. Changes in the difference between eGFRCysC and eGFRsCr may reflect muscle mass loss. We investigated the difference between eGFRCysC and eGFRsCr and its association with clinical outcomes in acute HF patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: A post hoc analysis was performed in 841 patients enrolled in three trials: Diuretic Optimization Strategy Evaluation (DOSE), Renal Optimization Strategies Evaluation (ROSE), and Cardiorenal Rescue Study in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (CARRESS-HF). Intra-individual differences between eGFRs (eGFRdiff ) were calculated as eGFRCysC -eGFRsCr at serial time points during HF admission. We investigated associations of (i) change in eGFRdiff between baseline and day 3 or 4 with readmission-free survival up to day 60; (ii) index hospitalization length of stay (LOS) and readmission with eGFRdiff at day 60. eGFRCysC reclassified 40% of samples to more advanced kidney dysfunction. Median eGFRdiff was -4 [-11 to 1.5] mL/min/1.73 m2 at baseline, became more negative during admission and remained significantly different at day 60. The change in eGFRdiff between baseline and day 3 or 4 was associated with readmission-free survival (adjusted hazard ratio per standard deviation decrease in eGFRdiff : 1.14, P = 0.035). Longer index hospitalization LOS and readmission were associated with more negative eGFRdiff at day 60 (both P ≤ 0.026 in adjusted models). CONCLUSIONS: In acute HF, a marked difference between eGFRCysC and eGFRsCr is present at baseline, becomes more pronounced during hospitalization, and is sustained at 60 day follow-up. The change in eGFRdiff during HF admission and eGFRdiff at day 60 are associated with clinical outcomes.

Serial assessment of HeartMate 3 pump position and inflow angle and effects on adverse events.

OBJECTIVES: This study analyses the position of the HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device on serial radiographs to assess positional change and possible correlation with adverse events. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed 59 left ventricular assist device recipients who had serial chest radiographs at 1 month, 6 months and 12 months post-implantation between November 2014 and June 2018. We measured pump angle, pump-spine distance and pump-diaphragm depth and investigated their relationship to a composite outcome of heart failure readmission, low flow alarms, stroke or inflow/outflow occlusion requiring surgical repositioning through recurrent event survival modelling. RESULTS: Between 1 and 6 months, the absolute pump-spine distance changed by 10.00 mm (P < 0.01) and the absolute pump-diaphragm depth changed by 18.80 mm (P < 0.01). These parameters did not change significantly between 6 and 12 months post-implantation. Pump angle did not change significantly over any period. Twenty-six patients experienced the composite outcome; in these patients, the median 1-month pump angle was 66.2° (interquartile range 54.5-78.0) as compared to 59.0° (interquartile range 47.0-65.0) in the 33 patients who did not have adverse events (P = 0.04). Pump depth and pump-spine distance at 1 month were not associated with the composite outcome. Change in pump depth between 1 and 6 months [hazard ratio (HR) 1.019; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.000-1.039] and between 6 and 12 months (HR 1.020; 95% CI 1.000-1.040) were weakly associated with the composite outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Larger pump angles are associated with the composite outcome of position-related adverse events. Pump depth movement is weakly associated with the composite outcome.

Transition of a Large Tertiary Heart Failure Program in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Changes That Will Endure.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic imposed severe restrictions on traditional methods of patient care. During the pandemic, the heart failure program at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York, NY rapidly and comprehensively transitioned its care delivery model and administrative organization to conform to a new healthcare environment while still providing high-quality care to a large cohort of patients with heart failure, heart transplantation, and left ventricular assist device. In addition to the widespread adoption of telehealth, our program restructured outpatient care, initiating a shared clinic model and introducing a comprehensive remote monitoring program to manage patients with heart failure and heart transplant. All conferences, including administrative meetings, support groups, and educational seminars were converted to teleconferencing platforms. Following the peak of COVID-19, many of the new changes have been maintained, and the program structure will be permanently altered as a lasting effect of this pandemic. In this article, we review the details of our program's transition in the face of COVID-19 and highlight the programmatic changes that will endure.

The rapid transformation of cardiac surgery practice in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic: Insights and clinical strategies from a center at the epicenter.

BACKGROUND: The onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has forced our cardiac surgery program and hospital to enact drastic measures that has forced us to change how we care for cardiac surgery patients, assist with COVID-19 care, and enable support for the hospital in terms of physical resources, providers, and resident training. METHODS: In this review, we review the cardiovascular manifestations of COVID-19 and describe our system-wide adaptations to the pandemic, including the use of telemedicine, how a severe reduction in operative volume affected our program, the process of redeployment of staff, repurposing of residents into specific task teams, the creation of operation room intensive care units, and the challenges that we faced in this process. RESULTS: We offer a revised set of definitions of surgical priority during this pandemic and how this was applied to our system, followed by specific considerations in coronary/valve, aortic, heart failure and transplant surgery. Finally, we outline a path forward for cardiac surgery for the near future. CONCLUSIONS: We recognize that individual programs around the world will eventually face COVID-19 with varying levels of infection burden and different resources, and we hope this document can assist programs to plan for the future.

The rapid transformation of cardiac surgery practice in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic: insights and clinical strategies from a centre at the epicentre.

OBJECTIVES: The onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has forced our cardiac surgery programme and hospital to enact drastic measures that has forced us to change how we care for cardiac surgery patients, assist with COVID-19 care and enable support for the hospital in terms of physical resources, providers and resident training. METHODS: In this review, we review the cardiovascular manifestations of COVID-19 and describe our system-wide adaptations to the pandemic, including the use of telemedicine, how a severe reduction in operative volume affected our programme, the process of redeployment of staff, repurposing of residents into specific task teams, the creation of operation room intensive care units, and the challenges that we faced in this process. RESULTS: We offer a revised set of definitions of surgical priority during this pandemic and how this was applied to our system, followed by specific considerations in coronary/valve, aortic, heart failure and transplant surgery. Finally, we outline a path forward for cardiac surgery for the near future. CONCLUSIONS: We recognize that individual programmes around the world will eventually face COVID-19 with varying levels of infection burden and different resources, and we hope this document can assist programmes to plan for the future.

Cystatin C- Versus Creatinine-Based Assessment of Renal Function and Prediction of Early Outcomes Among Patients With a Left Ventricular Assist Device.

BACKGROUND: Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) based on serum creatinine (sCr) improves early after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation but subsequently declines. Although sCr is a commonly accepted clinical standard, cystatin C (CysC) has shown superiority in assessment of renal function in disease states characterized by muscle wasting. Among patients with an LVAD, we aimed to (1) longitudinally compare CysC-eGFR and sCr-eGFR, (2) assess their predictive value for early postoperative outcomes, and (3) investigate mechanisms which might explain potential discrepancies. METHODS: A prospective cohort (n=116) with CysC and sCr concurrently measured at serial time points, and a retrospective cohort (n=91) with chest computed tomography performed within 40 days post-LVAD were studied. In the prospective cohort, the primary end point was a composite of in-hospital mortality, renal replacement therapy, or severe right ventricular failure. In the retrospective cohort, muscle mass was estimated using pectoralis muscle area indexed to body surface area (pectoralis muscle index). RESULTS: In the prospective cohort, sCr-eGFR significantly improved early post-LVAD and subsequently declined, whereas CysC-eGFR remained stable. CysC-eGFR but not sCr-eGFR predicted the primary end point: odds ratio per 5 mL/(min·1.73 m2) decrease 1.16 (1.02-1.31) versus 0.99 (0.94-1.05). In retrospective cohort, for every 5 days post-LVAD, a 6% decrease in pectoralis muscle index was observed (95% CI, 2%-9%, P=0.003). After adjusting for time on LVAD, for every 1 cm2/m2 decrease in pectoralis muscle index, there was a 4% decrease in 30-day post-LVAD sCr (95% CI, 1%-6%, P=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Initial improvement in sCr-eGFR is likely due to muscle wasting following LVAD surgery. CysC may improve assessment of renal function and prediction of early postoperative outcomes in patients with an LVAD.

Socioeconomic Disparities in Adherence and Outcomes After Heart Transplant: A UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing) Registry Analysis.

BACKGROUND: There is mixed evidence of racial and socioeconomic disparities in heart transplant outcomes. Their underlying cause-and whether individual- or community-level traits are most influential-remains unclear. The current study aimed to characterize socioeconomic disparities in outcomes and identify time trends and mediators of these disparities. METHODS AND RESULTS: We used United Network for Organ Sharing registry data and included 33 893 adult heart transplant recipients between 1994 and 2014. Socioeconomic status (SES) indicators included insurance, education, and neighborhood SES measured using a composite index. Black race and multiple indicators of low SES were associated with the primary outcome of death or retransplant, independent of baseline clinical characteristics. Blacks had lower HLA and race matching, but further adjustment for these and other graft characteristics only slightly attenuated the association with black race (HR, 1.25 after adjustment). This and the associations with neighborhood SES (HR, 1.19 for lowest versus highest decile), Medicare (HR, 1.17), Medicaid (HR, 1.29), and college education (HR, 0.90) remained significant after full adjustment. When comparing early (1994-2000) and late (2001-2014) cohorts, the disparities associated with the middle (second and third) quartiles significantly decreased over time, but those associated with lowest SES quartile and black race persisted. Low neighborhood SES was also associated with higher risks of noncompliance (HR, 1.76), rejection (HR, 1.28), hospitalization (HR, 1.13), and infection (HR, 1.10). CONCLUSIONS: Racial and socioeconomic disparities exist in heart transplant outcomes, but the latter may be narrowing over time. These disparities are not explained by differences in clinical or graft characteristics.

Limited usefulness of endoscopic evaluation in patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices and gastrointestinal bleeding.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is a frequent cause of re-admission in patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVADs) and is associated with multiple endoscopic procedures and high resource utilization. Our aim was to determine the diagnostic and therapeutic yield of endoscopy and to develop a more cost-effective approach for the management of GIB in CF-LVAD recipients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 428 patients implanted with a CF-LVAD between 2009 and 2016 at the Columbia University Medical Center and identified those hospitalized for GIB. Patients were categorized into upper GIB (UGIB), lower GIB (LGIB) and occult GIB (OGIB), based on clinical presentation. RESULTS: Eighty-seven CF-LVAD patients underwent a total of 164 GIBs, resulting in 239 endoscopies. Index presentation was consistent with UGIB in 30 (34.5%), LGIB in 19 (21.8%) and OGIB in 38 (43.7%) patients. On the first GIB, 147 endoscopies localized a bleeding source in 49 (30%), resulting in 24 (16.3%) endoscopic interventions. Of 45 lesions identified, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) were the most common (22, 48.9%). A gastric or small bowel source (HR 2.8, p = 0.003) and an endoscopic intervention (HR 1.9, p = 0.04) predicted recurrent GIB. The proposed algorithm may reduce the number of endoscopic procedures by 45% and costs by 35%. CONCLUSIONS: Occult GIB is the most common presentation in CF-LVAD patients and carries the lowest diagnostic and therapeutic yield of endoscopy. Performing an intervention was among the strongest predictors of recurrent GIB. Our proposed algorithm may decrease the number of low-yield procedures and improve resource utilization.

Rigid Plate Fixation Versus Wire Cerclage: Patient-Reported and Economic Outcomes From a Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: In a multicenter randomized trial, sternal closure after cardiac operations using rigid plate fixation (RPF) compared with wire cerclage (WC) resulted in improved sternal healing, reduced sternal complications, and was cost neutral at 6 months. Additional secondary end points are presented from this trial. METHODS: Twelve United States centers randomized 236 patients to RPF (n = 116) or WC (n = 120). Patient-reported outcomes measures, including pain, function, and quality of life scores, were assessed through 6 months and correlated to computed tomography-derived sternal healing scores using logistic regression. Cost analysis through 90 days was performed to mimic bundled care models. RESULTS: All patient-reported outcomes measures were numerically better in RPF patients than in WC patients at all assessments. RPF resulted in more patients reporting no sternal pain after coughing at 3 weeks (41.1% vs 19.6%; p = 0.001) and 6 weeks (54.5% vs 35.1%; p = 0.005) and at rest at 6 weeks (74.1% vs 58.8%; p = 0.02) and 3 months (87.6% vs 75.9%; p = 0.03) compared with WC. Better sternal healing scores correlated to having no sternal pain at rest (odds ratio, 1.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.2 to 2.2; p = 0.002) and after coughing (odds ratio, 1.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.2 to 2.2; p = 0.0007). RPF resulted in improvements in the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey quality of life scores at 3 weeks (53.5 ± 8.7 vs 50.5 ± 10.4; p = 0.03), 6 weeks (45.3 ± 8.4 vs 42.7 ± 8.4; p = 0.03), and 6 months (56.4 ± 6.8 vs 53.9 ± 9.0; p = 0.04) compared with WC. Through 90 days, RPF compared with WC was $1,888 less (95% confidence interval, -$8,889 to $4,273; p = 0.52). CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing sternal closure after median sternotomy, RPF compared with WC resulted in reduced sternal pain, improved upper extremity function, and similar total 90-day costs.

The Relationship Between Psychological Symptoms and Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

CONTEXT: Ventricular assist devices (VADs) improve quality of life in advanced heart failure patients, but there are little data exploring psychological symptoms in this population. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms and disease over time in VAD patients. METHODS: This prospective multicenter cohort study enrolled patients immediately before or after VAD implant and followed them up to 48 weeks. Depression and anxiety were assessed with Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Short Form 8a questionnaires. The panic disorder, acute stress disorder (ASD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) modules of the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM were used. RESULTS: Eighty-seven patients were enrolled. After implant, depression and anxiety scores decreased significantly over time (P = 0.03 and P < 0.001, respectively). Two patients met criteria for panic disorder early after implantation, but symptoms resolved over time. None met criteria for ASD or PTSD. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests VADs do not cause serious psychological harms and may have a positive impact on depression and anxiety. Furthermore, VADs did not induce PTSD, panic disorder, or ASD in this cohort.

Randomized, multicenter trial comparing sternotomy closure with rigid plate fixation to wire cerclage.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate sternal healing, complications, and costs after sternotomy closure with rigid plate fixation or wire cerclage. METHODS: This prospective, single-blinded, multicenter trial randomized 236 patients at 12 US centers at the time of sternal closure to either rigid plate fixation (n = 116) or wire cerclage (n = 120). The primary endpoint, sternal healing at 6 months, was evaluated by a core laboratory using computed tomography and a 6-point scale (greater scores represent greater healing). Secondary endpoints included sternal complications and costs from the time of sternal closure through 6 months. RESULTS: Rigid plate fixation resulted in better sternal healing scores at 3 (2.6 ± 1.1 vs 1.8 ± 1.0; P < .0001) and 6 months (3.8 ± 1.0 vs 3.3 ± 1.1; P = .0007) and greater sternal union rates at 3 (41% [42/103] vs 16% [16/102]; P < .0001) and 6 months (80% [81/101] vs 67% [67/100]; P = .03) compared with wire cerclage. There were fewer sternal complications through 6 months with rigid plate fixation (0% [0/116] vs 5% [6/120]; P = .03) and a trend towards fewer sternal wound infections (0% [0/116] vs 4.2% [5/120]; P = .06) compared with wire cerclage. Although rigid plate fixation was associated with a trend toward greater index hospitalization costs ($23,437 vs $20,574; P = .11), 6-month follow-up costs tended to be lower ($9002 vs $13,511; P = .14). As a result, total costs from randomization through 6 months were similar between groups ($32,439 vs $34,085; P = .61). CONCLUSIONS: Sternotomy closure with rigid plate fixation resulted in significantly better sternal healing, fewer sternal complications, and no additional cost compared with wire cerclage at 6 months after surgery.

Impact of Socioeconomic Status on Patients Supported With a Left Ventricular Assist Device: An Analysis of the UNOS Database (United Network for Organ Sharing).

BACKGROUND: Low socioeconomic status (SES) is a known risk factor for heart failure, mortality among those with heart failure, and poor post heart transplant (HT) outcomes. This study sought to determine whether SES is associated with decreased waitlist survival while on left ventricular assist device (LVADs) support and after HT. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 3361 adult patients bridged to primary HT with an LVAD between May 2004 and April 2014 were identified in the UNOS database (United Network for Organ Sharing). SES was measured using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality SES index using data from the 2014 American Community Survey. In the study cohort, SES did not have an association with the combined end point of death or delisting on LVAD support (P=0.30). In a cause-specific unadjusted model, those in the top (hazard ratio, 1.55; 95% confidence interval, 1.14-2.11; P=0.005) and second greatest SES quartile (hazard ratio 1.50; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-2.04; P=0.01) had an increased risk of death on device support compared with the lowest SES quartile. Adjusting for clinical risk factors mitigated the increased risk. There was no association between SES and complications. Post-HT survival, both crude and adjusted, was decreased for patients in the lowest quartile of SES index compared with all other SES quartiles. CONCLUSIONS: Freedom from waitlist death or delisting was not affected by SES. Patients with a higher SES had an increased unadjusted risk of waitlist mortality during LVAD support, which was mitigated by adjusting for increased comorbid conditions. Low SES was associated with worse post-HT outcomes. Further study is needed to confirm and understand a differential effect of SES on post-transplant outcomes that was not seen during LVAD support before HT.

Pre-operative mortality risk assessment in patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices: application of the HeartMate II risk score.

BACKGROUND: Survival with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy is dependent on appropriate patient selection. The HeartMate II risk score (HMRS) was recently derived and validated to predict 90-day mortality in clinical trial patients with continuous-flow LVADs. The aim of this study was to test HMRS validity in predicting survival at our institution. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients implanted with HeartMate II (HMII; Thoratec, Pleasanton, CA) LVADs from March 31, 2004 to September 20, 2012 at the Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC). Patients were stratified according to HMRS profiles (HMRS Low < 1.58, 1.58 ≤ HMRS Medium ≤ 2.48, HMRS High > 2.48) calculated using age, albumin, creatinine, international normalized ratio (INR) and center volume. Outcome was defined as survival at 90 days after device implantation. RESULTS: HeartMate II LVADs were implanted in 205 patients. Pre-operative data from 201 patients were categorized into HMRS Low (n = 101; 1.04 [0.64 to 1.31]), HMRS Medium (n = 73; 1.98 [1.78 to 2.25]) and HMRS High (n = 27, 3.07 [2.70 to 3.43]) (p < 0.0001). Kaplan-Meier survival estimates at 90 days (HMRS Low 91.0 ± 2.9%, HMRS Medium 91.7 ± 3.2%, HMRS High 88.7 ± 6.1%) and at 1 year (HMRS Low 85.5 ± 3.8%, HMRS Medium 79.3 ± 5.5%, HMRS High 82.4 ± 8.4%) after LVAD implantation were not statistically different (p = 0.43). Prediction of 90-day mortality by receiver operating characteristic was poor (AUC = 0.56). CONCLUSION: HMRS stratification poorly discriminates 90-day mortality after HMII LVAD implantation at our institution. Its generalizability as a universal prognostic score may be limited.

Prevalence, significance, and management of aortic insufficiency in continuous flow left ventricular assist device recipients.

BACKGROUND: Aortic insufficiency (AI) is increasingly recognized as a complication of continuous flow left ventricular assist device support; however, its long-term prevalence, clinical significance, and efficacy of potential interventions are not well known. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied the prevalence and management of AI in 232 patients with continuous flow left ventricular assist device at our institution. Patients with aortic valve (AV) surgery before left ventricular assist device implantation were excluded from analysis. To examine the prevalence of de novo AI, patients without preoperative AI were divided into a retrospective and a prospective cohort based on whether a dedicated speed optimization study had been performed at the time of discharge. Forty-three patients underwent AV repair at the time of implant, and 3 subsequently developed greater than mild AI. In patients without surgical AV manipulation and no AI at the time of implant, Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that freedom from greater than mild de novo AI at 1 year was 77.6±4.2%, and that at least moderate AI is expected to develop in 37.6±13.3% after 3 years. Nonopening of the AV was strongly associated with de novo AI development in patients without prospective discharge speed optimization. Seven of 21 patients with at least moderate AI developed symptomatic heart failure requiring surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: AI is common in patients with continuous flow left ventricular assist devices and may lead to clinical decompensation requiring surgical correction. The prevalence of AI is substantially less in patients whose AV opens, and optimized loading conditions may reduce AI prevalence in those patients in whom AV opening cannot be achieved.

Preoperative assessment of high-risk candidates to predict survival after heart transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Alternate waiting list strategies expand listing criteria for patients awaiting heart transplantation (HTx). We retrospectively analyzed clinical events and outcome of patients listed as high-risk recipients for HTx. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analyzed 822 adult patients who underwent HTx of whom 111 patients met high-risk criteria. Clinical data were collected from medical records and outcome factors calculated for 61 characteristics. Significant factors were summarized in a prognostic score. Age >65 years (67%) and amyloidosis (19%) were the most common reasons for alternate listing. High-risk recipients were older (63.2±10.2 versus 51.4±11.8 years; P<0.001), had more renal dysfunction, prior cancer, and smoking. Survival analysis revealed lower post-HTx survival in high-risk recipients (82.2% versus 87.4% at 1-year; 59.8% versus 76.3% at 5-year post-HTx; P=0.0005). Prior cerebral vascular accident, albumin <3.5 mg/dL, re-HTx, renal dysfunction (glomerular filtration rate <40 mL/min), and >2 prior sternotomies were associated with poor survival after HTx. A prognostic risk score (CARRS [CVA, albumin, re-HTx, renal dysfunction, and sternotomies]) derived from these factors stratified survival post-HTx in high-risk (3+ points) versus low-risk (0-2 points) patients (87.9% versus 52.9% at 1-year; 65.9% versus 28.4% at 5-year post-HTx; P<0.001). Low-risk alternate patients had survival comparable with regular patients (87.9% versus 87.0% at 1-year and 65.9% versus 74.5% at 5-year post-HTx; P=0.46). CONCLUSIONS: High-risk patients had reduced survival compared with regular patients post-HTx. Among patients previously accepted for alternate donor listing, application of the CARRS score identifies patients with unacceptably high mortality after HTx and those with a survival similar to regularly listed patients.

Current technology: devices available for destination therapy.

Left ventricular assist device therapy as a destination therapy for end-stage heart failure has made a large leap with continuous flow devices. Continuous flow does not seem to have a detrimental effect on end-organ function, at least in the midterm. Various expected and unexpected complications have been reported associated with this technology. More experience and research are warranted.

Who is the high-risk recipient? Predicting mortality after heart transplant using pretransplant donor and recipient risk factors.

BACKGROUND: In this study we sought the following: (1) To objectively assess the risk related to various pretransplant recipient and donor characteristics; (2) to devise a preoperative risk stratification score (RSS) based on pretransplant recipient and donor characteristics predicting graft loss at 1 year; and (3) to define different risk strata based on RSS. METHODS: The United Network for Organ Sharing provided de-identified patient-level data. Analysis included 11,703 orthotopic heart transplant recipients aged 18 years or greater and transplanted between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2007. The primary outcome was 1-year graft failure. Multivariable logistic regression analysis (backward p value<0.20) was used to determine the relationship between pretransplant characteristics and 1-year graft failure. Using the odds ratio for each identified variable, an RSS was devised. The RSS strata were defined by calculating receiver operating characteristic curves and stratum specific likelihood ratios. RESULTS: The strongest negative predictors of 1-year graft failure included the following: right ventricular assist device only, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, renal failure, extracorporeal left ventricular assist device, total artificial heart, and advanced age. Threshold analysis identified 5 discrete RSS strata: low risk (LR, RSS: <2.55; n=3242, 27.7%), intermediate risk (IR, RSS: 2.55-5.72; n=6,347, 54.2%), moderate risk (MR, RSS: 5.73-8.13; n=1,543, 13.2%), elevated risk (ER, RSS: 8.14-9.48; n=310, 2.6%), and high risk (HR, RSS: >9.48; n=261, 2.2%). The 1-year actuarial survival (%) in the LR, IR, MR, ER, and HR groups were 93.8, 89.2, 81.3, 67.0, and 47.0, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Pretransplant recipient variables significantly influence early and late graft failure after heart transplantation. The RSS may improve organ allocation strategies by reducing the potential negative impact of transplanting candidates who are at a high risk for poor postoperative outcomes.

Standard versus bicaval techniques for orthotopic heart transplantation: an analysis of the United Network for Organ Sharing database.

OBJECTIVE: Most studies of anastomotic technique have been underpowered to detect subtle differences in survival. We analyzed the United Network for Organ Sharing database for trends in use and outcomes after either bicaval or traditional (biatrial) anastomoses for heart implantation. METHODS: Review of United Network for Organ Sharing data identified 20,999 recipients of heart transplants from 1997 to 2007. Patients were stratified based on the technique of atrial anastomosis: standard biatrial (atrial group, n = 11,919, 59.3%), bicaval (caval group, n = 7661, 38.1%), or total orthotopic (total group, n = 519, 2.6%). RESULTS: The use of the bicaval anastomosis is increasing, but many transplantations continue to use a biatrial anastomosis (1997, 0.2% vs 97.6%; 2007, 62.0% vs 34.7%; P < .0001). Atrial group patients required permanent pacemaker implantation more often (odds ratio, 2.6; 95% confidence interval, 2.2-3.1). Caval group patients had a significant advantage in 30-day mortality (odds ratio, 0.83; 95% confidence interval, 0.75-0.93), and Cox regression analysis confirmed the decreased long-term survival in the atrial group (hazard ratio, 1.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.19). CONCLUSIONS: Heart transplantations performed with bicaval anastomoses require postoperative permanent pacemaker implantation at lower frequency and have a small but significant survival advantage compared with biatrial anastomoses. We recommend that except where technical considerations require a biatrial technique, bicaval anastomoses should be performed for heart transplantation.